Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-01-08
Heron's Ne
By BERTHA NJ. CLAY.
CHAPTER XI-CoSTISuEP


moments, then she continued ''For my share
In 1t ] beg your pardon. was completely mis-
led / was forced TO believe that you we're the
unacknowledged daughter of an cd servant
a friendless dependant on the charity of the
house; and, 10 treating you as such, did no
wrong. Indeed, she added, after a pause, II
may say that l treated you generously. or
course had not the faintest idea that you
were Gracia Dacre."
drew her hand to my lips and kissed It.
II hope shall never get well, Lady Caryl,"
I said 81 cannot bear the thought OF taking
Heron's Nest from Sir Adrian. He is so proud
OF the old piacep'
She smiled-a peculiar smile, such as had
never seen on her face before.
1T Is YOUR right" she answered. "My son
win feel the loss; but he is not poor man;
be viii soon find another home No harm has
been done TO us; but great harm has been
done TO you. We must atone for it."
When Lady Caryl did anything, It was al
WAYS royalty done, and she made full amends
10 nle.
Il can never do too much for you," she
said 10 me one day; "for you would have
given up everything you had in the world for
my son."
AsI grew stronger, / found that the whole
county knew Of the strange incident which
had taken place at the Cd mano--house.
Lady Caryl herself had at once male /; pub
lie; and, as accounts OF it had appeared in all
the newspap RS, every one in England knew
how the poor compan on had become the proud
owner Of Heron's Nest.
The day came when / was well enough to
discuss nv future with Lady Carl ! had not
seen Sir Adrian since my illness began. Lady
Caryl had promised me from day To day that
when was little better he should be pres
cnt at the consultation We were going to have
1t was one of the last days of October, and
was carried into the library on my couch.
How 1t brought back old times to me, to see
that room again, the chair in which my father,
the Squire, had sat writing, the table on which
those precious papers had lain!
II was a bright warm autumn day; few
late roses were in bloom, and the chrysanthe-
NUNS were unusually fine During all these
long weeks lad forgotten Lady Aditha; but
now remembered her suddenly as the woman
whom / understood Sir Adrian was TO marry.
asked Lady Caryl where she was.
''Gone," she replied. "Mrs. Roper has .
great dread OF Illness AS soon as she knew
that you had brain-fever, she left, and Lady
Aditha went with her."
II hope" Then paused for the words
seemed so difficult TO utter. 81 hope that my
Illness did not delay the marriage"
ssWhat marriagep asked Lady Caryl quick
b.
ibid dream It'll had many dreams when
was III, and they were so real / am con-
fused at times. i thought Sir Adrian and
Lady Aditha were to be married"
Lady Caryl looked little perplexed
II told you that" she said Il ought to
explain. Lady Aditha's mother and were
great friends, and our children were playmates
tgenty years ago. 1t was her mother and
who talked about their marriage then, and l
have wished for 1t ever slneen
Then they were not engaged" queried.
Not perhaps In the strict sense of the
word" she replied; ''but have always locke
upon them as an engaged couple. l have al
ways thought of Lady Adilha as my sons
Wifep
sand he has done the same. supposel,
was nv remark; but she did not seem quite so
5 sure Of It.
Shortly afterwards Mr. Graham came I'm,
followed BY Sir Adrian; and, when my eyes
fell once more upon his face, l forgot every
thing. had seen 1t last in the moonlight in
that supreme hour OF my life when he had
taken the papers from me-
sGracis," he said as he took nv hands, 81
an pleased TO see you again" Then he sat
down by my side; and to nv foolish happy
heart 1t was as though he had taken possession
Of me.
There could be no question, Mr.. Graham
said, as to the validity Of the 'apers, none as
70 my rights. was indeed heireSs OF Heron's
Nest Then made my petition to them, and
Il was that they would not take Fl ron's Nest
from Sir Adrian, tut let him keep it would
accept money from them -enou IA TO live com
fortably on-enough to live In 'uxury-but
not Heron's Nest. Sir Adrian loved it; let
him keep It.
You do love it, do you notp' / said, turn
Ing to him.
II do" he returned earnestly; ''for 1t holds
the noblest heart in the wor d."
But you love 1t for Itself. do you not" /
asked again.
"Yes" he answered, with smile that
never forgot
Let me give It to him; let me make it
legally hisr' entreated
But Mr. Graham shook his head
ut can not he done, Miss Dacre. Heron's
Nest Is yours and You must keep it."
Sir Adrian bent down and kissed my hand.
There could be no better mistress Tor it,
Gracia," he said
twas arranged that I should remain where
was until Christmas, and that Lady Caryl
should stay with me.
do you know where am going, GraeiaP'
elr Adrian whispered Iresently.
forgot that any one else was near-I forgot
Lady Caryl and the lawyer as / clung to the
hsnds that held mine
'sWhere are you goingl" ! asked quickly
'Oh, Sir Adrian do not 20! Stay here"
He bent his head still lower.
'Cracia he said, in low tone. II could
not stay here just now, dear. 1t would be
hardly right ! am going to Spain shall
see the old church in Granada where your
mother ard the Squire were married. and l
shall see the white marble cross with the name
1sola' upon t. Are YOU coutentP'
Must you got" cried.
'1es, Gracia," he said; 'it Is imperative;
outI shall be back for Christmas, and you will
Be quite well by then. shall go hoping to
dnd you bettor-nay, well--wEeu retarnn
He went; and l. Z owing better aud strong
p every day, did nothing but count the hours
NTH his return.
CHAPTER XII.
u was Christmas eve again; but how
<&1nged was all the world 10 me Last wear a